‘Dogs in the CFL

FRESNO, Calif. – As the Canadian Football League prepares for its opening weekend (June 22-25), the league will have five former Fresno State Bulldogs on its rosters to kick off the 2017 season.

• A.J. Jefferson (DB) – Ottawa Redblacks
• Zach Kline (QB) – Edmonton Eskimos
• Kyle Knox (LB) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• Tristan Okpalaugo (DE) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• Devon Wylie (WR) – Toronto Argonauts
* subject to change

While four of the five will be active on opening day, Kline was designated to the Eskimos' practice squad.

There are nine teams that make up the CFL, and the 'Dogs have players on four of those and multiple players on the Winnipeg roster.

Final cuts were made for the season openers last Saturday, Kyrie Wilson was released from Winnipeg's squad while Claudell Louis was dropped by Hamilton at that time.

A.J. Jefferson
• Entering third season in the CFL, previous two with Toronto.
• Played cornerback at Fresno State from 2006-2009.
• Played for the Arizona Cardinals (2010-11) and Minnesota Vikings (2012-13).
• Owns the single-season Fresno State record for yards per kickoff return (35.8, 2007).
• Owns the last kickoff touchdown return by a Bulldog, recorded Nov. 7, 2008 (92 yards); posted three career kickoff returns for a TD.
• Named a first-team All-American (return specialist) in 2007.

Zach Kline
• Entering first season in the CFL.
• Played quarterback at Fresno State in 2016 as a graduate-transfer.
• Started two games and played in seven games in 2016 for the Bulldogs; passed for 523 yards, completing 53.16 percent of his passes.

Kyle Knox
• Entering second season in the CFL, both with Winnipeg.
• Played linebacker at Fresno State from 2008-11.
• Had stints on the Seattle Seahawks (2012), Jacksonville Jaguars (2013), New Orleans Saints (2013-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015).
• Led the 2008 Bulldogs in tackles for a loss with 8.0 as a redshirt freshman.
• Rounded out his Fresno State career with 37 starts in 46 games played.

Tristan Okpalaugo
• Entering third season in the CFL; played first two seasons in 2014-15 with Toronto.
• Played defensive end at Fresno State from 2009-12.
• Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2013. Was on the Vikings practice squad in 2013 and signed by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 and subsequently placed on injured reserve.
• Named a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist in 2012.
• Played in 25 games and started 19 in junior and senior seasons after appearing in four games in freshman and sophomore seasons. Walked-on to the team.

Devon Wylie
• Entering second season in the CFL after debut a season ago; both with Toronto.
• Played wide receiver at Fresno State from 2007-11.
• Drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Named a third-team All-American by Yahoo Sports and honorable mention selection by Sports Illustrated – punt returner.
• Led the Bulldogs in receiving yards in 2011 with 716 as a redshirt senior.

Teams of the CFL
West Division
B.C. Lions
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Eskimos
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
East Division
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Montreal Alouettes
Ottawa Redblacks
Toronto Argonauts

Week 1 games
June 22: Saskatchewan at Montreal – 4:30 p.m. PT
June 23: Calgary at Ottawa – 4:30 p.m. PT
June 24: Edmonton at B.C. – 7 p.m. PT
June 25: Hamilton at Toronto – 1 p.m. PT

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160

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